Hot Tables: New & Notable

The latest flock of eateries, recession be damned

THE hottest tables over the holidays were predictably the expensive, flamboyant cruise liners that are the Delaunay on Aldwych, son of the Wolsey, but better placed for theatreland and further, further steeped in old Vienna. The longstanding starched collar basement Le Gavroche picked up the readers’ votes in the Hardens Guide as top restaurants – though it is hard to think it has been a lot different in 25 years while the Ivy spin-off. 34, at 34 Grosvenor Square, has been the hot table for the paparazzi feeding off the celebrity guest list. The recession is good for restaurants and here is a pick of the new crew, open or opening now.

The Lounge (ODEON, Whiteleys, Queensway, W2 4YN, 0207 229 8844) Cafe Anglais chef Leigh consults to neighbouring ODEON, which has just opened a posh, new, boutique cinema, The Lounge. This luxury film experience made up of five cinemas, each with just 50 reclining leather seats. Push the call button for service.

Pitt Cue Co (Canela, 1 Newburgh Street, W1F 7RB) This pop-up star of summer 2011 pops up off Carnaby Street with its own take on Texas BBQ…pulled beef cheeks and stretched pork.

The Oyster Shed (1 Angel Lane, EC4R 3AB, 0208 877 8820) New flagship for more-than-competent Geronimo pubs group on the ground floor of the Nomura bank in the City.

Orchard (Sicilian Avenue, WC1A 2QH) Off shoot to well-regarded vegetarian Vanilla Black. Open for breakfast, lunch and early dinners. They offer takeaway as well as a grocery section.

Donostia (Seymour Place in Portman Village, Marylebone, W1H 5DB, 0207 402 6209) Tomasz Baranski, the former head chef at Barrafina, serves Basque-style tapas and pintxos such as Pil-Pil cod and stuffed squid in ink, as well as more mainsteam Spanish dishes.

Hix Belgravia (Belgraves Hotel, 20 Chesham Place, SW1X 8HG) Mark Hix opens in the Thompson Belgraves Hotel in Belgravia, the first Thompson hotel outside of the US. It'll have a new Mark's Bar, a cigar garden and a more worldly feel to the menu.